The Opelousas courier., 1887-06-11

outstretched hands, catching up an
pouring the lovely light from palm
palm. eve found all the rainbow
from the sky. They're not lost, brothe
but hidden in these pretty white stones
And he pointed to the window.
Gcromc climbed up on the narrow sill
and a cry Of amazemcnt broke from b
lips as he dashed his hands here an
there picking up the white objects b
saw lying upon the ledge of the bottoI
sash.
"Nicco, speak quick!" he said in
low tone, looking feerfully around til
room; s'where did you get thesca"
81 found them, Gerotne. Are the
wicked? Throw them out! throw ther
QUIZ And Niece shrank away in suide
terror from his former lovely playthings
sFound thcmw repeated Gerom
slowly-sfound these! where Niece
wherc?"
tIn the strcet-in the gutter" re-
piled the little boy, innocently; eth
other day, when you babe me try 7
walk out a bit. TEey were wrapped VI
in a piece of paper, and I thought the
were bits of glass. When ! got home,
put them on the window to look of, and
then I found they were full of rainbows,
and thought the fairies had com to mi
in truth. What are they, Geromea"
"D:amondsl" replied the boy in fever
ish excitement, pouring the precious
stones into an old handkerchief, and
tying it up carefully. They've beer
lost or stolen, and must be taken to
magistrate. Come, N:cco, come; gel
your hat. This may be fairy luck fol
you, after al.
And he hurried the little fellow as fast
as his lameness would allow to the house
of the nearest magistrate, told his story
with straightforward candor, and placed
his precious parcel before him. Niece
related how he found them in his gentle
little voice, anl looked wistfully at the
white stones as they were spread out tt
view by the officer.
81 thought the fairies gave them to
me" he murmured, sadly. "And now
my window will be so dark and lonely
without the pretty rainbows."
mot SO, my la |" said the magistrate
kindly, after hearing Gcrome's account
of their orphanagc in Italy and journey
to this country with relations who had
deserted them. '1f the owner of this
property is found, you will get a mag.
nificent reward; if not, it is yours"
Tie boys caught hold Of each other in
awe-struck wonder. and went back to
their attic in silent speculation as to
their strange discovery. Q
The d Almonds were turned over to the
clerk of the court, and were largely adj
yertised. Numerous claimants made
their demands for their surrender, but
not proving their claim properly, failed
to get the brilliants.
Months went on, and N1cco thought
sadly of his lost rainbows in his lonely
hours, while Gerome pondered over the
amount of ths reward the little fellow
might eventually receive. One day
Niece was crying softly all alone in the
cherries attic, when the door opened,
and in rushed Gerome, followed by the
magistrate and several other gentlemen.
Tho owner of the diamonds has been
found, Niccol' cried Gerome, hugging
his small brother excitedly, land he is
going to take care Of you now. That is
to be your reward, and hereafter we can
have more food, more Clothes
"And more s~unshine2n asked the car
nest little voice. please, sir'-to the
magistrate-sT thought I had found
where the rainbows were hidden in those
pretty stones, but I think they must be
in the sunshine, after ALL"
But the sunshine in his heart was a
rainbow of promise in his future life